Easy way to remove OEM mufflers?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 179
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From: Florida
Easy way to remove OEM mufflers?
Is there a easy way to remove the OEM mufflers off of my '86 coupe? I've been under the car for a hour now beating the crap out of those things trying to get them loose. Help please! I have new mufflers arriving tomorrow.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Sounds like you need to slot the pipes with a sawasall or Dremel; some PB Blaster might help too if the pipes won't move at all.
If you mangle the Y-pipe ends you may need a tapered plug to drive in to open them up again to fit the new mufflers.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 179
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From: Florida
ALL the clamps are off. I've had it soaking, tried heating with a propane torch "that helped some, it helped it rotate a inch or so". There is a nice crease where the clamp was......is that whats holding me up?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 956
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From: Mesquite Nevada
Originally Posted by proemtpff
ALL the clamps are off. I've had it soaking, tried heating with a propane torch "that helped some, it helped it rotate a inch or so". There is a nice crease where the clamp was......is that whats holding me up?
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 920
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From: Shelby Township Michigan
I used a hand held 10,000rpm grinder and cutting wheel. I had it from some previous body work I was doing on a '65 Mustang. You can rent these or buy them. They cost about $60.00 and the discs are about $5 or $7 a piece. You just have to be careful to cut through only the outer pipe. Makes easy work of the clamps.
Good luck.
Dino
Good luck.
Dino
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Before you get too involved with removing the mufflers, double check the first bend of your Y-pipe. Tap it with a screwdriver and check for wall thickness. After carefully removing th OEM muffs on my 86, the Y-pipe was rotted through. Lots of work for nothing.... 
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 589
Likes: 1
From: Tucker GA
Originally Posted by JrRifleCoach
Before you get too involved with removing the mufflers, double check the first bend of your Y-pipe. Tap it with a screwdriver and check for wall thickness. After carefully removing th OEM muffs on my 86, the Y-pipe was rotted through. Lots of work for nothing....
Unless you are certain your y pipe is new or in excellent shape I have found it saves a lot of time just to replace y-pipe at the time I changed mufflers. That way the job is almost a simple bolt on job and you are sure both components are top notch condition. MTCW Bob
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 94
From: Westfield MA
Originally Posted by Vett-eight-nine
Some systems come with new hangers....
What are you installing?
What are you installing?
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 28
From: Woodbridge NJ
What generally happens is the clamp is so tight that it makes an indentation around the Y pipe making it almost impossible to remove the mufflers.
I would get a sawzall with a new blade and cut the mufflers. Don't struggle with an old blade, you can have them off in 5 minutes.
I would get a sawzall with a new blade and cut the mufflers. Don't struggle with an old blade, you can have them off in 5 minutes.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,384
Likes: 124
From: Reno/Sparks Nevada
It's been awhile since I removed mine. I think I just cut through both pipes right on the crimp. I removed whatever piece was left on the Y pipe and slipped my new ones on and clamped them further up the Y pipe with no problems. I sold my old mufflers and the guy who bought them never said a word. I only cut off a couple of inches, I think, maybe less. Was a lot less work than trying to heat, and bang and slip them off.
Art
Art
